What is the role of vitamin K in blood coagulation?

Our body needs 14 vitamins for biochemical activity and life, one of which is vitamin K. There are two types of vitamin K; Vitamin K1, which is found in plants, and Vitamin K2, which is made in the human and animal bodies. Vitamin K is derived from the German word for "coagulation", which was first coined by German scientists as a substance. A nutrient that plays an important role in blood clotting was discovered.

Vitamin K performs various biological functions in the human body, the most important of which is to help blood coagulate. In the blood, cells called platelets are circulating, and as soon as tissue or an organ in the body is damaged and bleeds, they cause blood to clot in that area to prevent blood from leaving that platelet. They do blood clotting with the help of vitamin K, and if a person is deficient in vitamin K, the blood clotting operation is not done properly or quickly enough and the bleeding continues for a longer time.


Vitamin K also plays an important role in bone health and strength. There are cells in the bones called osteoblasts, which are responsible for repairing bone tissue. These cells need vitamin K to do their job properly.

Vitamin K activates a protein called Gas6, which is needed for new cells to grow in the body. Gas6 protein is found in bones and in the central nervous system, which includes the brain, spinal cord, and nerve fibers. Some medical researchers believe that vitamin K may play an important role in the central nervous system and maintaining the health of nerve fibers.

Amount of daily requirement of vitamin K:

Adult men over the age of 19 need 120 micrograms daily and women over the age of 19 need 90 micrograms of vitamin K.

Adolescent girls and boys between the ages of 14 and 18 need 75 micrograms, children 1 to 13 years 30 to 60 micrograms, and infants need 2 to 2.5 micrograms of vitamin K daily.


Food sources of vitamin K:

Vitamin K is found in many foods including vegetables and summer vegetables that are green in color such as spinach, broccoli, cucumber, parsley, etc., fish, kale, beets, berries, raspberries, blueberries, olive oil and canola. Becomes.

For example, a cup of cooked cabbage or spinach with a little olive oil provides more than 100% of the body's daily requirement of vitamin K. Because vitamin K is a fat-soluble vitamin, food sources containing vitamin K can be consumed with a little fat or oil for better absorption.


Vitamin K supplements:

Vitamin K is abundant in food sources and there is generally no need to take vitamin K supplements unless diagnosed by a doctor and for people who have difficulty coagulating or absorbing the vitamin.

Factors that cause vitamin K deficiency:

Vitamin K deficiency is rare because it is found in abundance in vegetables and foods, and beneficial bacteria in the gut can produce vitamin K, and because vitamin K is a fat-soluble vitamin, the liver can produce it. Can save it to use when needed.


Taking antibiotics: Taking antibiotics can kill the bacteria in the intestines and cause a slight deficiency of vitamin K.

Specific diseases: Some diseases such as liver and gallbladder problems, celiac disease, Crohn's disease, etc. can reduce the body's ability to absorb vitamin K.

Blood thinners: Long-term use of blood thinners such as aspirin, warfarin, Plavix, etc. all cause the loss of vitamin K in the body.

Heavy and prolonged menstruation in women: Because vitamin K plays an important role in blood clotting, internal bleeding in all people and heavy menstruation in women deplete the stores of vitamin K.

Symptoms and diseases associated with vitamin K deficiency in the body:

Problems with blood clotting: As mentioned, vitamin K deficiency slows down blood clotting. For example, if you are one of those people who bleed for a long time with the slightest scratch on your skin, or when you go to the dentist, the bleeding gums continue for longer than normal, you may be deficient in vitamin K. .

Osteoporosis: Chronic vitamin K deficiency can cause osteoporosis, although many factors can cause the disease.

Note: Under no circumstances should you take vitamin K supplements without consulting your doctor.